Method of enabling operation of a player device using a mobile communication device

Abstract

A method of enabling player device operation using a mobile communication device involves receiving an identifier on the mobile communication device from a provider system, transmitting the identifier from the mobile communication device to a player device to permit operation of the player device, and transmitting a continual signal from the mobile communication device to the player device to permit the player device to continue operation. Appropriate player devices, mobile communication devices and provider systems are described.

1 . A method of enabling player device operation using a mobile communication device, comprising the steps of 
 receiving an identifier on the mobile communication device from a provider system,    transmitting the identifier from the mobile communication device to a player device to permit operation of the player device, and    transmitting a continual signal from the mobile communication device to the player device to permit the player device to continue operation.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the identifier is received by the mobile communication device via a first communication apparatus using a first communication technology, and the identifier and enabling signal are transmitted to the player device via a second communication apparatus using a second communication technology.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the steps of the mobile communication device receiving playable content from the provider system and transmitting the playable content to the player device.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the step of transmitting playable content stored on the mobile communication device to the player device.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the initial step of transmitting a request for playable content from the mobile communication device to the provider system.  
     
     
         6 . A mobile communications device having a communication module adapted to receive an identifier from a provider system, transmit the identifier to a player device to permit operation of the player device, and to transmit a continual signal from the mobile communication device to the player device to permit the player device to continue operation.  
     
     
         7 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 6  comprising a first communication apparatus using a first communication technology and a second communication apparatus using a second communication technology.  
     
     
         8 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 7  wherein the second communication apparatus has a shorter range than the first communication apparatus.  
     
     
         9 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 7  wherein the first communication technology is cellular radio telephony.  
     
     
         10 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 7  wherein the second communication technology is an infrared communication technology.  
     
     
         11 . A mobile communication device according to  claim 7  wherein the second communication technology is a wireless local area networking technology.  
     
     
         12 . A mobile communication device comprising cellular telephony apparatus, a local networking communication apparatus and a processor, the processor being adapted to control the mobile communication device to receive an identifier from a provider system through the cellular telephony apparatus, transmit the identifier to a player device through the local networking communication apparatus to permit operation of the player device, and to transmit intermittent signals from the mobile communication device through the local networking communication apparatus to the player device to permit the player device to continue operation.  
     
     
         13 . A method of operating a player device comprising the steps of: 
 receiving an identifier from a mobile communications device,    commencing playing playable content in response to receipt of the identifier, and    continuing to play the playable content only on continual receipt of an enabling signal from the mobile communication device.    
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  further comprising the step of authenticating the identifier prior to commencing playing the playable content.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13  further comprising the step of ceasing to play the content if an enabling signal is not received.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15  wherein the enabling signal comprises a periodic repeated signal.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 13  further comprising the steps of receiving the playable content to be played from a provider system.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 13  further comprising the step of receiving playable content to be played from the mobile communication device.  
     
     
         19 . A player device having a processor, a communication apparatus and a content player, the processor being adapted to control the player device to receive an identifier from a mobile communications device through the communication apparatus, to commence playing playable content over the content player in response to receipt of the identifier, and to continue to play the playable content only on continual receipt of an enabling signal from the mobile communication device.  
     
     
         20 . A player device according to  claim 19  wherein the communication apparatus uses a short range communication technology.  
     
     
         21 . A player device according to  claim 20  wherein the communication technology is an infrared communication technology.  
     
     
         22 . A player device according to  claim 20  wherein the communication technology is a wireless local area networking technology.  
     
     
         23 . A content provision system for use with player devices adapted to play content only on receipt of an identifier, the content provision system comprising stored content, wherein the content provision system comprises a processor adapted to provide content for use by a player device only when the player device receives an identifier, and adapted to provide to a mobile communication device the identifier to enable player devices to play the provided content.  
     
     
         24 . A content provision system according to  claim 23  wherein the system is operable to transmit the requested content to the player device.  
     
     
         25 . A content provision system according to  claim 23  wherein the system is operable to transmit the requested content to the mobile communication device.  
     
     
         26 . A content playing system comprising: a content provision system with a memory having stored content, a processor adapted to provide content for use by a player device only when the player device receives an identifier, and adapted to provide to a mobile communication device the identifier to enable player devices to play the provided content; and one or more player devices adapted to play the content on receipt of the identifier.